In a world often divided by differences, Chandrika Tandon shines as a radiant example of how music, education, and compassion can unite and inspire, to create a beautiful blend of harmony and hope. A Grammy-winning musician, a visionary philanthropist, and a passionate advocate for education, Tandon’s life is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and purpose. Her journey is not just one of personal achievement but of profound impact—bridging cultures, healing hearts, and inspiring minds across the globe.
The Melody of Healing: Triveni and the Grammy Win
Chandrika Tandon’s Grammy-winning album, Triveni, is more than just a collection of songs; it is a spiritual journey, a fusion of ancient wisdom and contemporary artistry. The album, a collaboration with South African flutist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto, is a testament to the universal language of music. “We come from different traditions, different points of view musically, but at the end of the day, we are all committed to healing,” Tandon reflects. “We wanted the music to lift people up, to feel good and have that transcendent feeling.”
The creation of Triveni was a labor of love, requiring meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of diverse musical traditions. Tandon recalls the challenges of blending the intricate scales of Indian ragas with the melodic structures of Western classical music. “I had to search for raga roots and find resonances between the flute, the cello, and my voice,” she explains. “Sometimes the scale and the key that works for the flute wasn’t quite the key that would work for my voice because the voice has a range, and I have a fairly good range. It was about weaving in and out of what they had created, finding the perfect balance between the familiar and the unfamiliar.”
The result is an album that transcends cultural boundaries, offering listeners a sense of peace and spiritual renewal. The response to Triveni has been overwhelming evident not just by the Grammy win. At a board meeting at NYU, a track from the album was played, and the room fell into a profound silence. “People said, ‘We’ve had a long day of meetings, but something happened to me when I heard Pathway to Light. My cares just drifted away,’” Tandon shares. Listeners have described the album as a “deep spiritual bath,” a testament to its healing power.
The Grammy win was not just a personal triumph but a celebration of the universal appeal of Tandon’s music. “The outpouring of love and support from around the world, especially from India, has been incredible,” she says. “One message read, ‘A billion hearts are with you.’ It’s a reminder of how music can unite us all.”
A Vision for Education: Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond her musical achievements, Chandrika Tandon is a passionate advocate for education. Her work with institutions like the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and the Boyd-Tandon School of Business at Madras Christian College reflects her belief in the transformative power of knowledge. “My overall message and my foundation’s message is to focus on the empowerment of people and human happiness,” she says. “Education is economic empowerment you really can’t have one without the other. I think the two would need to go hand in hand for a complete holistic life.”
At the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Tandon’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping a curriculum that prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century. “We believe so strongly in the importance of STEM education and the whole area of technology,” she explains. “Technology is infusing every discipline of society, and we didn’t want to have a lost generation that didn’t understand energy and science.”
Her vision for education extends to the Boyd-Tandon School of Business in India, where she has pioneered an innovative curriculum designed to create 21st-century leaders. “Every student works in an industry, engages with social problems through NGOs, starts a company, and learns creative storytelling and communication,” she explains. “We want to create whole, complete, 21st century multidisciplinary human beings.”
This holistic approach to education is rooted in Tandon’s belief in the potential of individuals to create a more harmonious and equitable world. “The philosophy of our new Business School is what I call unbounded,” she says. “We want our students to be ready for the challenges of the future, to be leaders who are not just skilled but also compassionate and socially conscious.”
Bridging Cultures Through Art and Education
Chandrika Tandon’s work consistently bridges Eastern and Western traditions, whether through music or education. Her music draws on 6,000 years of Vedic culture, blending ancient mantras with contemporary sounds. “One of the key decisions I made was to create music that everybody can sing with and everybody can relate to as much as possible,” she says. This approach has resonated globally, with listeners from all over the world sharing stories of how her music has touched their lives.
One such story comes from a listener in England, who wrote to Tandon about her sister’s battle with a brain tumor. “In the last six months of her life, this is the only music she would listen to,” the listener shared. “I want to thank you for making it.” These stories are a testament to the healing power of Tandon’s music, which transcends cultural and linguistic barriers to touch the soul.
A Symphony of Spirit: The Soul Harmony Project
Her upcoming project, Soul Harmony, with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, continues this tradition. The project sets Sanskrit mantras to choral harmonies, creating a groundbreaking fusion of ancient and modern. “These children are beautiful singers, and I feel privileged to be the artist in residence with them,” Tandon says. The project, commissioned by the New York State Council on the Arts, will debut at Lincoln Center, offering a transcendent experience for audiences. Chandrika recounted a heartwarming experience that she felt almost outwardly, a perfect blend of traditional and modern, where the sacred met the stage. “Last month, the Young People’s Chorus decided to take one of my compositions, “The Song of Light,” which I had composed, and the opening of that song is the Gayatri Mantra. At their annual gala at the Lincoln Center, which was completely full, 800 New York City children walked into a dark room holding orbs and stepped onto the stage, singing the Gayatri Mantra. They brought the house down, receiving a standing ovation, and have since been requested to perform the song everywhere,” she shares with pride.
A Force for Good: Living with Purpose and Intention
Chandrika Tandon’s life is a testament to the power of intentionality and purpose. “We are fundamentally multidimensional beings, but we often settle for being one-dimensional,” she observes. Her advice to young people is to embrace their multifaceted potential and live with intention. “Dedicate your life to impact and service. Redefine yourself to be the best you are at every point in whatever you’re doing.”
She speaks candidly about the barriers faced, particularly for women, in pursuing their dreams. “We wear labels and have a Grand Central station of ideas crisscrossing in our heads,” she says. “Very often, those thoughts go in the direction of ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I should have done more.’ If I had a magic wand, I would wave all that away for everyone.”
Tandon’s own journey is a reflection of this philosophy. From her success in the corporate world to her achievements in music and philanthropy, she has consistently defied labels and embraced her multidimensional identity. “Music is one of the greatest bridges we can build across traditions,” she says. “It has the power to connect us, to heal us, and to remind us of our shared humanity.”
A Legacy of Harmony and Hope
Chandrika Tandon’s legacy is one of harmony and hope, a reminder of the profound impact we can have when we blend creativity with compassion. Through her music, she has touched countless lives, offering solace and inspiration to listeners around the world. Through her philanthropy, she has empowered individuals and communities, creating opportunities for education and economic empowerment.
As she embarks on new projects, including Soul Harmony and her ongoing work with educational institutions, Tandon continues to uplift and unite people across the globe. Her life is a symphony of art, education, and compassion, harmonizing the world one note, one life, and one act of kindness at a time.
Salute to SEEMA
Thank you for everything you do Seema. To bring the story of South Asians through your channel I think it’s such a beautiful thing that you’re doing. You’re elevating everyone and getting their stories out so you’re doing a great job. Thank you.
Rapid-Fire Revelations with Chandrika Tandon
- Favorite city for inspiration? – New York City
- Go-to karaoke song? – Killing Me Softly
- If you weren’t a musician or philanthropist, what would you be? – An ethereal traveler
- Most memorable concert or performance you’ve attended? – Demis Roussos at the Baalbek Festival in Beirut in the middle of the war in 1975
- What’s on your playlist right now? – It’s the most eclectic playlist you’ll ever find
- Dream collaboration (living or passed)? – I’m already doing it. My collaboration is more around an idea, it’s not around people.
- What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? – Living in Beirut in the middle of the civil war and I was barely 20 years old.
- What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? – I like to binge watch television like The Queen’s Gambit.
- What’s your favorite part of creating music? – Composing. Just dreaming up the hundred options that I can come up with.
- Favorite mantra or quote you live by? – Love. Light. Laughter.
PQs
“We wanted the music to lift people up, to feel good and have that transcendent feeling.”
“One of the key decisions I made was to create music that everybody can sing with and everybody can relate to as much as possible.”
“My overall message and my foundation’s message is to focus on the empowerment of people and human happiness.”
“These children are beautiful singers, and I feel privileged to be the artist in residence with them.”
“Music is one of the greatest bridges we can build across traditions.”
